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FYW: Language, Argument, and Culture: Primary Sources - Rabbit Hole Tips!

Primary means "first," so let's learn how to find original documents/materials/items.

 

To research primary sources and find other primary source material, we need to understand the concept of metadata:

 

Definition of metadata from Webster's Dictionary: metadata is a noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction it is defined as: "data that provides information about other data."

Definition from the Merriam Webster Dictionary (Online) as of 02/23

 

Metadata can be any piece of information that is either visible OR invisible. We use metadata to describe things.

Examples of Visual Metadata

  • Genre or Format
    • Photo
    • Film
    • Letter
    • Map
    • Book
  • Names
    • People
    • Places
    • Things
  • Titles
    • People
    • Places
    • Things
  • Locations
    • Addresses
    • City Names
    • Country Names
  • Dates
    • Publishing date
    • Date of Entry 
  • Images
    • People
    • Places
    • Things

Questions to Brainstorm Metadata

Think rhetorically!

  • What is happening?
  • What is its purpose?
  • Are there recognizable people, places, and/or things?
  • Is there text: signature, title, subtitle, caption, a whole genre of writing?
  • Is there a theme?
  • How would I describe what I'm looking/examining/touching to others?

Examples of Invisible Metadata

  • Genre or Format
    • Photo
    • Film
    • Letter
    • Map
    • Book
  • Names
    • People
    • Places
    • Things
  • Titles
    • People
    • Places
    • Things
  • Locations
    • Addresses
    • City Names
    • Country Names
  • Dates
    • Publishing date
    • Date of Entry 
  • Images
    • People
    • Places
    • Things

The Night Watch